Hearing this, Xu Jin wryly smiled, "State Preceptor, how do I feel like everyone already knows this little secret of mine that I’ve been hiding?"
"Who else knows about it?" During his astonishment, a look of worry flashed across Cheng Yuxiao’s eyes.
"Academician Kou Jing just guessed it too and gave me a few more Fifth Tier Emblems," Xu Jin said.
"The day you helped Academician Kou Jing with his breakthrough, he sensed it, which is only natural. However, I have applied a seal to everything including the Eighth Tier Lower Fire Origin Star Pattern using the Nine Bright Chime, and with Kou Jing’s character, there won’t be a risk of leakage," Cheng Yuxiao explained.
After finishing, Cheng Yuxiao added, "However, although you are now trying to keep a low profile, you are a once-in-a-century genius. It’s natural to be noticed and be the focus, so you shouldn’t worry too much."
Pausing, Cheng Yuxiao continued, "Yet, your participation in the upcoming Lougong Battle will inevitably attract a lot of attention. But if you do not fight, it defeats the purpose of nurturing your talent.
I will carefully consider and resolve the subsequent issues."
"State Preceptor, the recent assassination attempt has brought some concerns, but I hadn’t thought about not fighting because of it. If worse comes to worst, I’ll just stay in the National Taoist Institute and cultivate until I reach the Fourth Tier Peak," Xu Jin said.
"Alright, rest assured! If I, Cheng Yuxiao, cannot even protect a disciple, then I don’t deserve the title of State Preceptor."
Having said that, Cheng Yuxiao directly handed Xu Jin ten Upper Fourth Tier Emblems.
"The main target area for your team this time is the Third Tier Sand River Star Domain. After you complete the main objective, you can choose to leave early. When you do leave early, you may distribute two Fourth Tier Emblems to your other teammates for their safety and to gather more harvests," said Cheng Yuxiao.
"I will bear that in mind."
"State Preceptor, I will be away for seven to eight days, so I would like to entrust my sister with your Star-picking Order, in case she needs urgent help," Xu Jin said.
Xu Jin had considered his personal crisis and also the impact it could bring to his family, which led to this request.
"Rest assured, your sister is also a key figure to protect, and I will add her as a friend right away."
As Cheng Yuxiao spoke, Elder Peng, the white-haired Chief Peng suddenly appeared and joked with a smile, "Xu Jin, I quite like your little sister. How about I take her as my honorary granddaughter? When I’m free, I could chat with her.
I’m old, and without grandchildren of my own, it seems perfect."
Hearing this, Xu Jin was overjoyed.
With Elder Peng’s words, his sister Jiang’er’s safety was assured.
At 13:45, Xu Jin arrived on time at the Star-picking Tower, joining Ji Hongli, Wang Jiugao, and others.
Seeing Xu Jin, the group immediately gathered around, and Ji Hongli, clad in a red battle skirt, was especially happy. If it weren’t for the presence of others, she would have liked to embrace Xu Jin’s arm.
Holding Xu Jin’s arm gave her a special sense of security.
"Is everyone ready? Did you all bring enough Pills?" Xu Jin asked with a smile.
"Absolutely. There are no restrictions this time, I brought quite a few bottles," Ji Hongli replied with her head tilted to the side, her big eyes twinkling with a smile.
"Yeah, the usual rules, you know."
While speaking, Xu Jin distributed four pieces of Red Scale Heart to the group.
"Safety first, stick to my orders, and then fulfill the combat missions."
During the casual conversation, time quickly reached 14:00, and all nine teams from the National Taoist Institute were present.
The current True Disciples were all captains of Third Tier teams.
The other four captains were Meng Qingqiu, Yuan Feiqing, Yan Chen, and Lv Kun.
Xu Jin also met the captains of the Fourth Tier teams, who were Wang Rusong, Fang Ying, and Ye Anshi.
The captain of the Fifth Tier teams was only one, the former Mountain Master of Jinshan Taoist Institute, now Vice Supervisor of the Inspection Institute Dong Zhao, with teams made up of Vice Academicians, teacher Liu Qingzhu, Tang Hui, Shen Wei, Han Qing.
Their cultivation levels, without exception, were all at Fifth Tier Peak, making it an ultra-luxurious lineup for the Dachen National Daoist School.
Suddenly, a shower of Starlight fell — it was the State Preceptor, Right Libationer Song Bing arriving, taking everyone directly to the second floor of the Da Chen Star-picking Tower Main Building.
The second floor, which Xu Jin had visited once, was full of Star Gates.
When the State Preceptor and company arrived, Left Libationer Meng Yanhui was already present, along with a man in his thirties dressed in a unique black formal suit.
According to Xu Jin’s understanding, it resembled very official attire.
Like the formal official attire worn by Dachen officials during court sessions, Xu Jin also owned two sets, but he rarely wore them except on major occasions, and they were quite uncomfortable.
Yet this man wore it very naturally, as if it were his daily attire.
By his side stood a very aloof young girl in palace attire, her skin as white as snow.
When the State Preceptor arrived with his entourage, the Left Libationer Meng Yanhui had already come forward to pay his respects to the State Preceptor. The man in the black official robe, however, proudly stood motionless.
This scene caused all the disciples of Dachen to frown.
Nevertheless, State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao seemed unconcerned and smiled as he stepped forward to greet them, "I, Cheng, have met Fourth Young Master Dai and the young princess. Please forgive me for not coming out further to meet you!"
Thereafter, the State Preceptor introduced them to everyone, "Gentlemen, this is Dai Guanwen, Fourth Young Master Dai, the true inheritor disciple of the Sumeru Palace Master. This lady is the beloved daughter of the Sumeru Palace Master and also the young princess of Sumeru Palace, Princess Haoyue. Please come forward and pay your respects."
Since the State Preceptor said so, everyone, whether they were Third Tier or Fourth Tier disciples, or Fifth Tier Academicians, all uniformly paid their respects.
At this, Dai Guanwen, Fourth Young Master Dai, who stood arrogantly straight, finally slightly smiled, first paying respects to State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao and then casually greeting others with a hand gesture, which counted as an acknowledgment.
To be honest, Xu Jin did not person’s attitude.
But since the State Preceptor had arranged it this way, let it be, especially as there would likely be no further interaction in the future.
A true inheritor of the Sumeru Palace!
"State Preceptor Cheng, time is pressing. I am the opener of the Star Gate and also the supervisor of this Lougong Battle. Please, as per the rules, hand over the Star-picking Orders to the Star Spirit to imprint.
Then provide me with the Star Domain Marks. My preparations are complete. Once you provide the Star Domain Marks, I can immediately open the relevant Star Domain Gate, though it will only be available for seven days. Please remember this.
Within seven days, you must exit the same way you came.
Otherwise, once the Star Gate closes, even if I reopen a temporary Star Gate, its location will be completely different, and I won’t be able to inform you," said Dai Guanwen.
"Very well, thank you, Fourth Young Master Dai."
Listening, Xu Jin felt like a bolt of lightning had struck him.
Star Domain Marks, temporary Star Gate!
These two key terms instantly shone brilliantly.
At the same time, Xu Jin thought of his teacher Qi Shanye and his Uncle Mo Ji.
He had already asked State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao to successfully create the Star Domain Mark of the Sixth-Tier Star Domain where his teacher and uncle had fled.
That meant if Xu Jin could contact the inheritors from Sumeru Palace and request their assistance, they could open a temporary Star Gate leading to the Sixth-Tier Star Domain where his teacher and uncle had fled for their lives.
Was there a possibility to find his teacher and rescue them within seven days?
It was entirely possible!
If not in seven days, then perhaps in fourteen days!
Instantly, Xu Jin found a potential way to rescue his teacher.
No longer groping in the dark, having to search in the Galaxy Battlefield.
Given the current situation, the feasibility was very high.
Of course, this path was also very challenging.
Seeing the demeanor of the Sumeru Palace disciples, Xu Jin knew it would be difficult to ask for their help.
However, if there was a chance, Xu Jin would try every possible means to ask for their assistance.
At the moment, Xu Jin’s Cultivation Level was not sufficient.
After this real combat experience, Xu Jin would clearly understand his level of real combat capability, and with further breakthroughs in his Cultivation Level, he might then start implementing the major plan to rescue his teacher and uncle.
In the next moment, everyone, as requested by the State Preceptor, took out their Star-picking Orders.
As the State Preceptor called out, a lively encapsulation of Starlight appeared; it was the Star Spirit, summoned by the State Preceptor.
Suddenly, Xu Jin heard the voice of the Star Spirit in his mind.